Chapter 24 You're Almost There " Your relationship with Mr. Mason must be pretty good , right ? I'm really sorry about what happened tonight . Could you help me apologize to him ? " Elaine wasn't naive . Mamie had clearly come here to see Jackson , and it seemed like her attempt to apologize had hit a wall . At this point , Jackson was probably still upset . If Elaine spoke up now , she'd likely get caught in the crossfire . She raised an eyebrow and replied , " I only met Mr. Mason today . We're not really familiar , so it would seem more sincere if you apologized to him directly . " Mamie's eyes reddened , and she pouted in frustration . " Mr. Mason … doesn't want to see me . If you could just … " Her words were interrupted by the sound of a ringtone . Elaine glanced at her phone and saw it was Jackson calling . Not wanting to take the call in front of Mamie , she let it ring . " Ms. Howard , sorry , I have to go . I've got something else to take care of . " Inside the hotel room , Jackson pulled the clothes from the paper bag and went into the changing room . Moments later , he emerged , fully 0· 00 % 10 10 G 1107 Chapter 24 You're Almost There dressed . 1288 Vouchers The spare clothes were a black shirt , which made his skin look even paler and highlighted his sharp features , giving him an even colder , more distant aura . Elaine took the tie from him and walked up to help , but not knowing exactly how to tie it , she simply handed it back to him . " Maybe it's better if you do it yourself . " Jackson skillfully tied the tie in front of the mirror . " Has the party finished ? " " It should be soon , " she replied . She hadn't gone through the party hall on her way to the parking garage , but it was getting late , so it must have been wrapping up . Jackson tried to fasten his cufflinks , but after a few unsuccessful attempts , he extended his arm toward her . Understanding the gesture , Elaine stepped forward and fastened them for him . They stood close together , and the scent of his fresh shower lingered in the air . She looked up slightly , meeting his perfectly curved lips and the sharp line of his jaw . 28 40 % 1107 10 ODGN chapter 24 Youre Almost . There 293 Yauchers She picked up the elegant watch from the bedside table and fastened it around his wrist . " Are you going to rest , or head downstairs ? " Jackson glanced at the watch . It was almost 10 PM . " I should head back . " A knock at the door interrupted them . Elaine instinctively started toward it , but then , realizing something , quickly ducked into the bathroom . Jackson furrowed his brow , walked over , and opened the door . Standing outside was Cordell , holding a shopping bag from a mall , his face sporting a faint smile . " Mr. Mason , sorry to keep you waiting . " The smile on Cordell's face faltered slightly when his gaze landed on Jackson , who was now dressed in fresh clothes . " Looks like you didn't need the clothes after all . " In the bathroom , Elaine froze when she heard Cordell's voice . Her heart skipped a beat . Thank goodness she had hidden in time . She wasn't sure what Cordell would think if he saw her in Jackson's room . " Mr. Mason , I'll leave you to rest . " Cordell glanced into the room , his eyes briefly stopping on something . 53.37 % O 10 10 D G 21 11 07 80 64 % Chapter 24. You're Almost There Jackson gave a soft " Okay " and shut the door behind him . He turned back and noticed the spot where Cordell had paused - on the coffee table , next to the room key , was a white phone . The phone wasn't familiar to him , but the only people who had been in the room were Elaine and Mamie . Mamie had been in and out of the room in under three minutes , and she was holding an elegant pearl clutch , so the phone clearly wasn't hers . When the door finally clicked shut , Elaine sighed in relief and stepped out of the bathroom . Jackson was standing in front of the mirror , putting on his suit jacket . He fastened the middle button , preparing to leave . As he walked past her , he paused , glanced at her briefly , and said , " You're almost there . "